Comments on: A green vision for a former steel town

By: Margaret Bidinotto

Margaret Bidinotto — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:05:23 +0000

Hi Tyler,

Until this past year, I used to visit Vandergrift on a regular basis, as there were several good antique stores (gone now) in their downtown area. There are still remnants of its early charm, mostly in the neighborhoods surrounding the business district. I remember my first visit to the town – I’d never heard of it, but it was recommended as a possible source for a certain antique I was seeking – and driving in, I was struck by just how everything “curved”. Now I know why!

By: Ron Eiselstein

Ron Eiselstein — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:18:57 +0000

It’s interesting to read that Vandergrift is harnessing the energy of their river. Can the Mahoning river be a power source?

Poland’s Town One Streetscapes is looking into a project to install two hydraulic ram pumps in Yellow Creek to irrigate all the flower boxes on the 170 and 224 bridges. Does anyone know what a hydraulic ram pump is?

By: Nate P

Nate P — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:59:24 +0000

There has been talk for a while (in the six years that I’ve been at YSU) that a bike trail would be built from campus, down Fifth, across the Mahoning Commons, and up to either Fellow’s Riverside Gardens and/or the other Mahoning Avenue entrances to Mill Creek Park.

This should be done in my opinion. A strong(er) connection between the University and Mill Creek Park is long overdue. For that matter, I think the University doesn’t have very good ties with other Youngstown institutions (Powers, Stambaugh Auditorium, Oakland et. al.)

By: Jim Russell

Jim Russell — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:25:36 +0000

Connecting Mill Creek Park to downtown and then to the university would be a real game-changer. When I first visited Youngstown, the most remarkable part of Janko’s tour was Mill Creek Park:

http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/07/liminal-youngstown.html

By: Eric Planey

Eric Planey — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:12:21 +0000

The second biggest problem with downtown Youngstown is the lack of real green space. The biggest problem is that many dont consider that a problem. I would really like to see Mill Creek expand itself all the way into the downtown area. And the more I think about it, the more I would like to see the Wean building torn down next to the Mkt Street bridge and the whole area turned into green space (including a shallow pond space – water is aesthetically pleasing).

Let me know if there is a trip there. I’ll bring the Fritos!

By: Tyler

Tyler — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:31:34 +0000

Jim, great idea. Sounds like a cool town to see anyway.

By: Jim Russell

Jim Russell — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:15:02 +0000

Tyler,

It might be mutually beneficial for a Youngstown contingent to visit Vandergrift and see the redevelopment project.